基本上

• Pinyin: jī běn shàng
• Hanzi breakdown: 基 = 其 (phonetic) + 土 (earth); 本 = 木 (tree) + 一 (root mark); 上 = pictograph of a mark above a base line — indicating 'on top of / in terms of'

Meaning

Basically; essentially; for the most part. An adverb indicating something is largely true or mostly complete, though not entirely.

Functions as a sentence adverb modifying the main predicate. It softens a statement by acknowledging minor exceptions. Common in both spoken and written Chinese. For example, 基本上都对 means 'mostly correct,' and 基本上完成了 means 'essentially finished.' It is less absolute than 完全 (completely).

Examples

1. 这本书我基本上看完了。 I have basically finished reading this book.
2. 大家基本上都同意这个方案。 Almost everyone basically agrees with this plan.
3. 他说的基本上是正确的，只有一点小问题。 What he said is essentially correct — there is just one small issue.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, work, academic

Tone: hedging

Do Say

• 作业基本上做完了。(The homework is basically done.)
• 他说的基本上没错。(What he said is essentially correct.)

Don't Say

• 我基本上完全同意。(Don't combine 基本上 and 完全 — they contradict each other in degree. Use one or the other: 我基本上同意 or 我完全同意.)

Origin & History

Extension of 基本 (basic/fundamental) with the suffix 上, which adds an adverbial sense of 'in terms of' or 'on the level of.' Together they mean 'at the foundational level' — hence 'basically.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal